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12/1-2: Arizona Asian Festival - This free festival features food, arts and crafts, cultural performances and an Asian marketplace. Learn about calligraphy and origami or watch a tea ceremony take place. Presented by the Arizona Asian American Association, the day includes a traditional fashion show along with booths and vendors. | Details:10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1-2. Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, 3939 N. 75th St. Free. aaaa-az.org. Mark Zemnick/AAAA-AZ.org

The ultimate Phoenix fall festival guide

12/1-2: Arizona Asian Festival - This free festival features food, arts and crafts, cultural performances and an Asian marketplace. Learn about calligraphy and origami or watch a tea ceremony take place. Presented by the Arizona Asian American Association, the day includes a traditional fashion show along with booths and vendors. | Details:10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1-2. Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, 3939 N. 75th St. Free. aaaa-az.org.
Mark Zemnick/AAAA-AZ.org

12/7-9: Phoenix Festival of the Arts - Art, entertainment and more than 100 vendor booths make up this outdoor, family-friendly event. The free festival includes a hands-on community art project organized by local muralist Hugo Medina. There will also be a kids zone, music performances, a beer and wine garden and local food trucks. | Details:Dec. 7-9. Noon-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix.Free. 602-254-3100, phoenixfestivalofthearts.org. The Republic

The ultimate Phoenix fall festival guide

12/7-9: Phoenix Festival of the Arts - Art, entertainment and more than 100 vendor booths make up this outdoor, family-friendly event. The free festival includes a hands-on community art project organized by local muralist Hugo Medina. There will also be a kids zone, music performances, a beer and wine garden and local food trucks. | Details:Dec. 7-9. Noon-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix.Free. 602-254-3100, phoenixfestivalofthearts.org.
The Republic

12/8-9: Mesa Arts Festival - This community event features original works from local, regional and national artists in a variety of media. Guests will find live entertainment on two stages, live artist demonstrations, a family activity area and awide selection of food. | Details:10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8-9. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St.Free. 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com. Mesa Arts Center

The ultimate Phoenix fall festival guide

12/8-9: Mesa Arts Festival - This community event features original works from local, regional and national artists in a variety of media. Guests will find live entertainment on two stages, live artist demonstrations, a family activity area and awide selection of food. | Details:10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8-9. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St.Free. 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com.
Mesa Arts Center

10/7-4/21: Downtown Mesa Festival of the Arts -
From jewelry to candles, the Downtown Mesa Festival of the Arts offers a variety of artist creations. Lining the streets of downtown Mesa, the family-friendly festival will also feature live music. Formerly known as MACFest, this event will be held on the first and third Saturdays of each month (with a few exceptions). | Details:10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Oct. 7 and 21, Nov. 4 and 18, Jan. 6 and 20, Feb. 3 and 17, Mar. 3 and 17, and Apr. 7 and 21. 2-8 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 16. 2-8 p.m. on Nov. 11 in conjunction with Mesa Music Festival. Downtown Mesa on N. Macdonald betweenMain Street and Pepper Place.dtmesafest.com. David Wallace, David Wallace/The Republic

The ultimate Phoenix fall festival guide

10/7-4/21: Downtown Mesa Festival of the Arts -
From jewelry to candles, the Downtown Mesa Festival of the Arts offers a variety of artist creations. Lining the streets of downtown Mesa, the family-friendly festival will also feature live music. Formerly known as MACFest, this event will be held on the first and third Saturdays of each month (with a few exceptions). | Details:10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Oct. 7 and 21, Nov. 4 and 18, Jan. 6 and 20, Feb. 3 and 17, Mar. 3 and 17, and Apr. 7 and 21. 2-8 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 16. 2-8 p.m. on Nov. 11 in conjunction with Mesa Music Festival. Downtown Mesa on N. Macdonald betweenMain Street and Pepper Place.dtmesafest.com.
David Wallace, David Wallace/The Republic

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Shopping for vintage, handmade and repurposed items has become more than just a trip to an antique store. Vintage and Vino makes the pursuit of something unique into a family gathering, girls’ night out or date night.

In its third year, the event will take place Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13 and 14, in Queen Creek.

Tiffany Shultz, principal of Levitate Agency, said by incorporating wine and craft beer offerings, a children’s craft area, a photo booth with a vintage backdrop, oldies music and local vendors, the festival has a different vibe than other shopping venues.

“That’s our focus, just to create an experience rather than just a swap meet or a market,” Shultz said.

During the event, around 115 local vendors from different parts of Arizona will sell vintage, repurposed, upcycled, and handmade items such as furniture, antiques, wood signs and jewelry.

Items from Queen B Home, who will be a vendor at Vintage & Vino in Queen Creek.(Photo: Handout, Vintage & Vino)

At the event, shoppers have a chance to meet with the local crafters, hearing more about their stories and products.

“The curators, the people that are making the items, are right there and they are selling it to you. It’s a great chance for you to shop local and get one-of-a-kind gifts or décor for your home,” Shultz said.

Shultz said the event offers something for homeowners looking to redecorate and shoppers already searching for unique holiday gift items.

“They can get it all done at Vintage and Vino and find something really unique and special for every person on their list,” Shultz said.

Items from Green Table Gifts, who will be a vendor at Vintage & Vino in Queen Creek.(Photo: Vintage & Vino)

During the event, local breweries and local and regional wineries will offer a variety of craft beers and red and white wines. The festival will also have a mimosa bar.

With the $20 wine package, guests receive entry into the event and six wine tasting tickets. The first 500 people to purchase wine packages receive commemorative glasses.

If you are looking for a multifaceted shopping experience in your neighborhood, consider one of these local events.

Front Porch Festival and Old Towne Marketplace

During the Front Porch Festival and Old Towne Marketplace, shops decorate for the fall and have special promotions and activities.(Photo: Photo by Jessica Alexander)

Holiday shopping often doesn’t start in November or December. The Front Porch Festival and Old Towne Marketplace lets visitors get an early start on finding personal gifts.

During the event, locally-owned shops and restaurants in historic downtown Glendale’s Catlin Court and Old Towne neighborhoods will decorate their porches and stores in the spirit of fall and have special discounts and promotions.

Some shops will have live music and special activities such as tarot card readings or chalk paint demos.

During the event, visitors can decorate ornaments to be placed on a patriotic holiday tree in Catlin Court throughout Glendale Glitters, which starts in November.

This year, downtown establishments will add embellished scarecrows to their fall décor as part of a scarecrow decorating contest. Throughout the day, attendees can vote on their favorites.

For the first year, the Brelby Theatre Company will host an artist fair with handmade items such as paper crafts and custom clothing.

During the Front Porch Festival and Old Towne Marketplace, shops decorate for the fall and have special promotions and activities. (Photo: Photo by Jessica Alexander)

Through Nov. 11, visitors can donate items for care packages for soldiers as part of the Treats for the Troops Drive, which will benefit the local chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America Inc. The Glendale Visitor Center will accept items such as toiletries, snacks, holiday candy, canned food items, hand towels, crossword books, DVDs, batteries, insect repellent, overseas calling cards and pocket-sized games.

During the Front Porch Pickins Vintage and Handmade Market, those with a passion for blasts from the past can shop for macramé, steampunk, handmade, glam, shabby chic, farmhouse, Midcentury Modern, gothic and vintage antiques, clothing, home decor, pet items or food from over 100 local artisans and pickers from across Arizona.

Developed by three Arizona women with a passion for vintage and handmade, the market has something for those looking for junk, pieces to complement their home décor or gifts for their loved ones. Prices range from around $5 to over $1,000.

During the market, food trucks will offer food and beverage options such as wood-fired pizza, coffee and doughnuts, and the Pickins Pub will sell adult beverages such as wine and beer.

As part of the market’s onsite car show, enthusiasts can show off their classic, hot rod, customized or antique vehicles. The car and truck with the most votes from attendees will win Best-in-Show awards.

Autumnfest

Shopping for locally-made items can be part of a full festival experience. Autumnfest, an annual event in Anthem, celebrates the fall with different activities for kids and adults.

As part of the event’s arts and crafts fair, over 60 local, regional and out-of-state vendors will sell gift items, home décor, food and artwork, including hand-carved furniture, clothing, jewelry, photographs, paintings, quilts, candles, holiday wreaths, pet accessories and homemade seasonings and sauces.

The family-friendly event will also have a pumpkin patch with pumpkin-picking and decorating; a children’s area with inflatables; train and hay rides and a carnival with a Ferris wheel, funhouse and carousel.

In the Main Pavilion, rock group Crown Kings and Level 9 Band – an R&B, soul, pop, jazz and Motown band – will perform on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. A balloon animal artist and magician will also entertain festivalgoers on both days of the event.